The 22-year-old champion golfer Rory McIlroy has been named BBC Northern Ireland's Sports Personality of the Yea...

The 22-year-old champion golfer Rory McIlroy has been named BBC Northern Ireland's Sports Personality of the Year for 2011. The County Down man pipped Darren Clarke and, rugby player, Rory Best for the award.

McIlroy said “I am thrilled to be named as the BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year ... Looking back on 2011, it's been an amazing 12 months of my life.

"It's been a year I will always remember, not least because I won my first major.

"That victory at the US Open in Washington would not have been possible without the fantastic support from my family.

"I would also like to thank all the great support from everyone in Northern Ireland.
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